Category: Puerto Rico

#CitizensReporters have been using #MobileDevices and #SocialMedia to share instant news, videos, texts, and pictures during times of crisis. We have seen political demonstrations, elections, events, disasters, and many more cases. We have in our hands a powerful computer, communicator, and camera to share and connect with family and friends. We also use these technologies to access #InstantKnowledge about the events, stories, and background information. We are more connected to our mobile devices but also using them to be more connected to people.

#HurricaneMaria and #EarthquakeMexico2017 are recent examples about the use of mobile technologies and smartphone apps to send emergency messages, find relatives, share videos and pictures that later are shown in traditional TV channels.

The issue is to avoid censorship, hacking, fake news, and disruption of the signal. People in Puerto Rico are struggling to communicate and share that they are safe. People in Mexico are using social media to find their missing relatives. In both cases they are using their mobile devices to ask for help. These are small examples of the increasing dependence of technologies and energy. The bottom line is to know what we are learning during emergencies. We continue with our adapted #Scouting mottos: #BePreparedForemergencies, #BePreparedToChange.

What are we learning about the use of social media and mobile devices?